January 2009 Indie Next List

“This is a very interesting look at how, and why, some people never seem to move beyond certain events in their lives -- and how American culture conspires to keep them 'stuck' so they will buy and buy and buy the next answer to their 'problem.'”
— Catherine Carpenter, Cate's Books and Stuff, Louisiana, MO
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Description

"The brilliant mind behind "Party of One" examines the striking social trend: people are stuck and they want to change, but..." ("San Francisco Chronicle") In this book, Anneli Rufus identifies an intriguing aspect of our culture: Many of us are stuck. Be it in the wrong relationship, career, or town, or just with bad habits we can't seem to quit, we even say we want to make a change, but . . . Merging interviews, personal anecdotes, and cultural criticism, "Stuck" is a wise and passionate exploration of the dreams we hold dearest for ourselves-and the road to actually achieving them. When faced with the possibility of change, our minds can play tricks on us. We tell ourselves: "I can't make it." Or, "It's not worth the effort." How is it that in a time of unprecedented freedom and opportunity, so many of us feel utterly powerless and unsure? In this book, Rufus exposes a complex network of causes for our immobilization- from fear and denial to powerful messages in popular culture or mass media that conspire to convince us that we're helpless in the face of our cravings. But there can be a light at the end of the tunnel: Rufus also tells the stories of people who have managed to become unstuck and of others who, after much reflection, have decided that where they are is best. After all, she writes, "what looks to you like a rut, others might say is true absorption in a topic, a relationship, a career, a pursuit, a place. What looks to you like boredom, others call commitment. And even contentment." A brilliant glimpse into what truly motivates-or doesn't motivate-us, Stuck will inspire you to take a look at yourself in an entirely new light.

About the Author

Anneli Rufus is the critically acclaimed author of four nonfiction books including "The Scavengers' Manifesto" and "Party of One: A Loner's Manifesto." An award-winning journalist and poet, she has written for dozens of publications including the "San Francisco Chronicle," the "Los Angeles Times," the "Boston Globe," and "Salon." She lives in Berkeley, California.